What Type of College Grants if Any Are Geared Towards Felons With Drug Convictions?
Question by Jesse: What type of college grants if any are geared towards felons with drug convictions?
I’m having trouble with fasfa and getting a response about student grants.
Best answer:
Answer by Suddenly Human
Grants are given based on financial “need” and there are none for this particular situation – that I am aware of.
Answer by magick727
I would check into the National Fraternities. If you have a good enough hookup they should be able to help you out.
Jesse:
As long as you answer the FAFSA question honestly, a felony drug conviction has NO impact on your eligibility for federal student aid.
If you go back and read the relevant question, it says:
“23. Do not leave this question blank. Have you been convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs for AN OFFENSE THAT OCCURRED WHILE YOU WERE RECEIVING FEDERAL STUDENT AID (such as grants, loans or work-study)? ANSWER “NO” IF YOU HAVE NEVER RECEIVED FEDERAL STUDENT AID. If you have a drug conviction, answer “Yes,” but complete and submit this application, and we will send you a worksheet in the mail that will help you determine if your conviction affects your eligibility for aid. If you are unsure how to answer this question, call 1-800-433-3243 for help.”
As the question clearly suggests, felony drug convictions will only affect your aid eligibility if you committed these drug offenses WHILE you were receiving federal student aid.
In fact – even if you HAD committed these offenses while receiving aid, you could still qualify, if you have completed a rehabilitation program. It takes about 3 strikes to be out in federal student aid, just like in baseball.
There are no other special grants for young men and women with drug records – because there isn’t any need for them. You ARE eligible for federal student aid, so you’ll need to call that 800 number (the Federal Student Aid Information Center) and get your “trouble with FAFSA” resolved.
Good luck!